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Krista Trounce ECHO Project Manager GreenTECH Conference June 1, 2016 Understanding and mitigating vessel underwater noise BC’s Underwater Listening Station
Krista TrounceECHO Project Manager
GreenTECHConference
June 1, 2016
Understanding and mitigating vessel underwater noiseBC’s Underwater Listening Station
1. ECHO Program refresher
2. Underwater listening station
3. Complementary acoustic projects
ECHO PROGRAM
ECHO: Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program
Purpose: To better understand and manage the impact of commercial vessel related activities on at-risk whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia
2014-2017: Plan and execute
research projects
2016-2018: Develop and trial
potential mitigations
2017-onwards:Implement & monitor
voluntary programs
ECHO PROGRAM CONTEXT
• Canada Marine Act mandate
• DFO Recovery Strategies identify threats
• Whale and vessel routes overlap
• Predicted shipping and population growth
Other EngagementAchieve Quieter Oceans (AQUO)
Green Marine
MEOPAR
Seaspan
Nanaimo Port Authority
Port of Tacoma
Port of Seattle
Advisory Working Group
BC Ferries
Chamber of Shipping of BC
Cruise Lines International Association (North West & Canada)
First Nations individuals
DFO
NOAA
Pacific Pilotage Authority
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Transport Canada
Vancouver Aquarium
Washington State Ferries
WWF-Canada
Acoustic Technical Committee
DFO
JASCO Applied Sciences
NOAA
Oceans Networks Canada
Robert Allan Naval Architects
SMRU Consulting
Transport Canada
University of British Columbia
University of St. Andrews
Vancouver Aquarium
Washington State Ferries
Funding Contributors
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Trans Mountain
Transport Canada
Fraser River Pile and Dredge
Federal Government Advisory CommitteeEnvironment Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Transport Canada
Project CollaboratorsBC Chamber of Shipping
BC Coast Pilots
BC Ferries
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Pacific Pilotage Authority
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Significant In-kind ContributorsFisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
JASCO Applied Sciences
Oceans Networks Canada
Vancouver Aquarium
ECHO PROGRAM COLLABORATORS
ECHO PROGRAM CATEGORIES
Advancing research projects and initiatives focusing on the key threats to whales in this region with a view
to informing mitigation solutions
Acoustic Disturbance
Physical Disturbance
Environmental Contaminants
Photo
: Beam
Reach
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION INITIATIVES
DOLPHIN Underwater radiated noise (URN)
SILENT E
Underwater Noise Performance Indicator
(pending)
Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise
Strait of GeorgiaUnderwater Listening Station
Partnership with:
Ocean Networks CanadaJASCO Applied Sciences
Transport Canada
UNDERWATER LISTENING STATION
• First of its kind in North America (non-Navy)
• Two arrays, each with 4 hydrophones
• Connected to ONC’s cabled Venus Observatory
• Measuring ambient noise, marine mammal detections, and vessel source levels
Photo
: O
cean N
etw
ork
s C
anada
MONTHLY AMBIENT NOISE ANALYSIS
3%
97%
12%3%
85%
MARINE MAMMAL DETECTIONS
October 2015
Killer whales
Humpbacks
Fish
December 2015
MARINE MAMMAL DETECTIONS
VESSEL SOURCE LEVEL MEASUREMENTS
OUTPUT: PORTLISTEN INTERFACE
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XXXXXX
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JASCO Applied Sciences PortListen software
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JASCO Applied Sciences PortListen software
OUTPUT: DETAILED TWO PAGE REPORT/VESSEL
OUTPUT: VESSEL NOISE LEVEL
Radiated noise level –as defined in ANSI measurement standard
Monopole source level – considers sound energy as originated from point location, most suitable for use by acoustic model that independently accounts for surface and seabed reflection
1/3 octave frequency band vessel source levels
Graph of vessel source level or signature of each transit
OUTPUT: VESSEL RANKING
Overall performance ranking
Vessel noise emission level
UTILITY OF THE DATA
• Ambient noise over time and location
• Presence of marine mammals
• Informs potential incentive programs
• Trialing mitigation measures
• Aggregated data set correlating: vessel type, speed, design, age, propeller configuration
• Informs modelling
• Helps vessel owner/operators understand noise contribution and identify mechanical issues
Photo
: O
cean N
etw
ork
s C
anada
Complementary projects:Regional noise contributors
Vessel noise reduction & EcoActionInfographic
REGIONAL OCEAN NOISE CONTRIBUTORS
Container ships Cruise/Passenger Ferries
Fishing Recreational Tankers & bulkers
Tugs Whale watchingGovernment/
Research
Other merchant Miscellaneous
Vessel categories and regional sub-areas
Juan de Fuca
US San JuansHaro Strait
Boundary Pass
Gulf Islands
Strait of Georgia
Vancouver Island
Vancouver
Washington State
Victoria
REGIONAL NOISE CONTRIBUTORS
Results – Understanding Contributions
• Commercial sector is the dominant source vs. smaller craft
• Smaller craft (recreational, fishing, whale watch) have contributions in certain sub-areas but less sound energy
• Depending on the sub-area, different vessel categories are more dominant
• No “one-size” solution
Identification of Options
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION OPTIONS
Project Approach
Desktop literature review
for potential options
Workshop with EcoAction
development team
Expert and stakeholder input
Considerations
• Noise reduction effectiveness• Cost• Availability• Feasibility• Verifiability• Co-benefits
RECOGNITION
• Quiet notation (DNV-GL, Bureau Veritas, RINA)
• Green Marine underwater noise performance indicators
• Quiet in class transiting ULS
TECHNOLOGY
• Propeller type
• Air injection
• COGAS – electric drive
• Decoupling coating
• Equipment mounting or reinforcement
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION OPTIONS
MAINTENANCE
• Propeller cleaning/repair
• Hull cleaning
Potential EcoAction criteria for 2017
INFOGRAPHIC FOR MARINERS
• EcoAction Program 2017
• Continued engagement with stakeholders
• Analysis of ULS data set
• Screening, modelling and multiple accounts analysis of potential mitigation options
NEXT STEPS
Photo
: M
K
RAISE YOUR HAND. Q&A.
Special thanks to:
Green Marine, GreenTECH Conference committee Project Partners: JASCO Applied Sciences, Ocean Networks Canada, Transport Canada
Photo
: Jo
an L
opez
Krista Trounce, ECHO Project Manager, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
